A Classic Analog Synth Returns with a Smaller Footprint!

Honey, I shrunk the synth! Recreated in a compact form, the Korg MS-20 Mini does exactly what the 1978 version did, but in a size that's 86 percent of the original. This little monophonic analog synthesizer sports 37 keys; knob design and printing that stay true to the original's; and in the patch section, mini plugs rather than 1/4-inch phone plugs. Making a good thing even better, Korg has released the MS-20 Mini as a portable, affordable, and easy-to-use synth for today's musicians.

Learn more about the MS-20 Mini with this video from Korg:

Where Vintage Meets Modern

The MS-20 Mini boasts two oscillators with ring modulation, envelope generators with hold and delay, and a VCA designed to produce less noise than the original. Powerful self-oscillating high-pass and low-pass filters with distortion lend the synth a radical sound, while an external signal processor (ESP) gives the MS-20 Mini extra flexibility by allowing you to use the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. Want to play the MS-20 Mini as a vocal synth? No problem -- just input a microphone. Want to use it as a guitar synthesizer? Input an electric guitar. It's as simple as that.

Thanks to a flexible patching system, you can create complex sounds by plugging in cables to change the connections between the various units. Unless you never mess with the cables, no two noodle/jam sessions will be the same, since different combinations of the modulation input/output and trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can produce a wide variety of sounds.

The MS-20 Mini has a MIDI In jack for receiving note messages, along with a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages. With this monophonic analog synthesizer, you can even connect it to your computer and play it from a sequencer.

Overseen By the Engineers of the Original MS-20

A development team led by the MS-20's original engineers was responsible for recreating the original circuitry. According to Korg, when it was necessary to substitute a part, these engineers made the decisions based on careful listening, in order to reproduce the original sound faithfully. With this said, however, the Mini version will never sound exactly the same as the vintage MS-20 as we know it today -- because its bright and extreme sound is that of an original MS-20 in mint condition at the time it went on sale in 1978, before any of the components aged.

Korg's MS-20 Mini comes with the original MS-20 owner's manual and settings chart that explains how to create sounds, and even its packaging has the same look and feel of that of the original unit.

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 631-390-6800

Product Description

Korg's MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, first introduced in 1978, is still a coveted instrument to this day, thanks to its thick, robust sound, its powerful, iconic analog filter, and its versatile patching options. Today, the sounds of the MS-20 have been reborn in hardware, as the MS-20 Mini. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have perfectly reproduced its circuitry and fit into a body that's been shrunk to 86% of the original size, yet retains the distinctive look of the original. The MS-20 mini will amaze you with its absolutely authentic analog synth sound.

The MS-20 analog synth -- recreated in mini size!

MS-20's design concept started by borrowing from the vertical layout found on larger and more expensive modular synths of its time, and then creating a more portable, inexpensive, and easier-to-use version. To make it even more approachable, the MS-20 mini has been shrunk to 86% of the size of the original MS-20. In spite of its smaller size, meticulous care has been taken to accurately reproduce the knob design and the printing. The patch cables have been changed from 1/4" phone plugs to mini-plugs, and the keyboard is also 86% of the original size.

Replicates every detail of the original

The MS-20 mini painstakingly replicates the original MS-20. A development team led by the original engineers themselves worked to recreate the original circuitry, and when it was necessary to substitute a part, these engineers made the decisions based on careful listening, in order to reproduce the original sound faithfully. In fact, the sound of the MS-20 mini has a somewhat bright and extreme quality to it because its sound is that of an original MS-20 in mint condition at the time it went on sale, before any of the components aged.

2VCO / 2VCF / 2VCA / 2EG / 1LFO structure

The MS-20 mini reproduces the distinctive synthesis of the MS-20; two oscillators with ring modulation, and envelope generators with hold and delay. The VCA maintains the basic design of the original, but it's been modified to produce less noise than the original.

Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distortion

One of the greatest characteristics of the MS-20 was its powerful filters, which provided resonance on both the high-pass and the low-pass. Maximizing the resonance would cause the filter to self-oscillate like an oscillator, producing a distinctive and dramatic tonal change that was acclaimed as inimitable, and was later used on the monotron and monotribe. The filter circuit was changed mid-way through the production lifecycle of the MS-20; the MS-20 mini uses the earlier filter, which was felt to be superior due to its more radical sound.

External signal processor (ESP)

The ESP carries on the experimental spirit of MS-20; it allows you to use the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. For example you can input an electric guitar and use the MS-20 mini as a guitar synthesizer, or input a mic and use it as a vocal synthesizer.

Extremely flexible patching system

The patching system provided to the right of the panel lets you create complex sounds by plugging-in cables to change the connections between the various units. The possibilities are limited only by the user's imagination; different combinations of the modulation input/output and trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can produce an incredible variety of sounds. By patching according to the MS-20 flow chart that's printed on the panel, even the beginner can start taking advantage of these possibilities right away.

5-pin DIN MIDI IN and USB MIDI

The MS-20 mini provides a MIDI IN jack for receiving note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages. You can even connect the MS20 mini to your computer and play it from a sequencer.

Original Korg MS-20 Manual Included

Korg's effort to remain faithful to the original is not limited to the unit itself. Even the package that contains the unit replicates the original as far as possible. Also included are the original MS-20 owner's manual and settings chart, explaining how to create sounds. Now you can experience the excitement of the MS20, just like it was during its original release in 1978.

Features:

- Overseen by the engineers of the original MS-20; a complete replication of the original analog circuitry
- 2VCO / 2VCA / 2VCF / 2EG / 1LFO structure
- Self-oscillating high-pass/low-pass filters with distinctive distortion
- External signal processor (ESP)
- Extremely flexible patching system
- Miniature MS-20 that's 86% of the original size
- MIDI IN and USB connector
- Replicates every detail of the original, down to the package binding and the included manual

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Overall:
i've dreamed of owning an Ms-20 for year upon years, but could never seem to fork the high dollar price they were going for. so im browsing through zzounds website looking at synths for giggles, & then i see it! the Ms-20mini! at first i thought it was the computer controller they made, until i realized its an actual hardware synthesizer. my life has'nt been the same since, its been better with this synth in my life! everything about it is stunning, pure analouge fun!! patching with external gear is an ease & works/sounds amazing! the filters scream like no other synth out there. if you know about the Ms-20 then you know what i mean! just buy one already!! make the payments on zzounds, your life with be that much better! promise!

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